Fortress of Alexander the Great

Along with religious constructions there are ruins of Fortress built in order of Alexander the Great in IV century b.c. It is situated in southern part of Nurata, and it is one of the most antique and significant archeological monuments in Uzbekistan.

The town consists of several parts of different level of preservation. Analyst Ashirov S.A. described the monument in 2004 the following way: “Nurata’s Shakhristan (Nur in the ancient time), with size 500x500 meters, was surrounded with strong wall with towers. The entrance was in the middle of the northern wall. South walls were almost rest against rocks.  Nur’s wall bordered with water spring. The Fortress extended from north-west to south-east. The south wall enforced with 4 round and half-round towers. In the eastern part remained a hill with partly visible walls. The south-western part is mostly destroyed. Construction like corridor with length 130 meters and 16 meters width runs from south-eastern tower and ends with square watchtower with size 26x26 meters. The tower’s length with corridor is about 130 meters.” There were no farther excavations on the settlement.

This Fortress seems to be built as strategic construction on the border between agricultural districts and wild desert. With name of Alexander the Great connected building of unique underground water supply line not far from Nurata – a system of karizes. Kariz is an ancient water supply system extended from the source to place of consumption. Its length can reach several kilometers. Wells for cleaning and water systems control were dropped from the supplying line on the determined distances.